How to make basic onion masala

Onion masala is the base ingredients to many Indian vegetable or meat dishes. Masala is a very generic term used to describe any blend of spices in Indian cooking. It could by the mixture of spices or it could by the mixture of other ingredients with spices. Onion masala is a mixture of onion, garlic, tomatoes and some aromatic spices.This is a basic onion masala is prepared the same way for cooking many vegetarian and meat dishes. Once you will know the basic then it will become easier to alter spices and ingredients according to your taste and prepare delicious meat and vegetable dishes.Onion masala can be prepared in advance and refrigerated and can be used to make many different curries or it can be prepared in large quantity and freeze, and can be used for few months.

Directions:1. Use a food chopper or blender to mince the onions and garlic. Mixture should be coarse. Onion fries the best if they are grated, you can use the food processer to grate the onions.

Add minced onions, garlic & oil in the pan

2. On high heat add 4 tablespoons oil in a nonstick frying pan. Add minced onions and garlic and sauté, while periodically stirring. Onions will have a lot of water so for the first 8 to 10 minutes keep the heat high so that all the onion water evaporates quickly.

3. While onion mixture cooks add the tomato to the same food chopper or blender and puree.

4. Once the onion water has evaporated turn the heat down to medium and let the onions fry for 8 to 9 minutes, frequently stir the onions.

Onions are fried

5. Once the onions become light brown add coriander powder, red chili powder, turmeric powder and mix with the onions and fry for few seconds.

Add coriander powder, red chili powder and turmeric powder

Mix the spices with fried onions

6. Add tomato puree and yogurt.Wth the tomato puree and yogurt onion masala become watery turn the heat to high for 2 to 3 minutes, so that water evaporates quickly, and then turn the heat down. Frequently keep stirring the onion masala.

7. If adding chopped tomatoes then with the spatula try to mash them so that they become soft quickly, cook them for 5 minutes or until they become tender and blend well with the fried onions.

Add tomato puree

Mix tomato puree with fried onions

Add yogurt and mix ( if going to add yogurt)

8. In about 5 to 6 minutes tomato puree and onion will blend together.

9. Once all the water has evaporated and you see the oil in pan that means onion masala is done. It takes about 20 minutes to make the onion masala.10. Add garam masala, grated ginger and chopped green chili later. If you prefer grind ginger and green chile with onions and garlic.

Onion masala is done

Tips:

1. For purees, chopping onions and mincing garlic use mini food chopper or food processor or blender. 2. For daily use mini chopper work the best for coarsely chopping onions and making tomato puree.3. Onion masala can be made in large quantity and stored in freezer for later use.It comes out handy and time saving.4. Medium onions are 2½ “ diameter and 3” long5. Small onions are 1½ ” diameter and 2’ long Please take the time to let me know what you think about my recipes. Your comments would be helpful to me to improve the recipe.